StephanieS0208

@@katragina
Its normal to have buyers remorse/regret when you are in the first stages after surgery. This is hard and it takes work. You will progress to new stages. It will become easier and be a new normal for you.
Think back to all the reasons of why you had your surgery. Your weigh loss and health is worth it all. Celebrate your 50 pounds gone!

I'm a big fan of the Trader Joe's carton Soups, if you have one around you check it out. They usually have a pretty good assortment and some seasonal options to keep it interesting. Beyond that sugar free ice pops were my best friend. Good luck!

This Thanksgiving I will enjoy all the food since my surgery is next month. Like my nurse told me eat the food and keep in mind next Thanksgiving is a new story.
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I'll chime in even though I'm not going to say anything really all that different!

I took off roughly two weeks. I manage an IT department for a company, so my job is primarily behind a desk. I actually came back in a couple of days early, took a day off, and then was back full time (I'd been keeping up with email from home, but not doing any actual work-work).
Dude... those first few days...
They were exhausting. Even sitting behind a desk and pounding a keyboard, I found myself worn the fuck down. I guess engaging the noggin in a meaningful way coupled with being around people (who kept asking how my "vacation" was). I'd be in bed by 8pm every night. It took a week or so to be mostly back to normal, but I had to set reminders on my phone to drink, eat, walk, etc. That's key and that's why most surgeons would rather you take 4-6 weeks off - you NEED to develop the habit of drinking Water regularly and moving around.
I cannot stress enough how important those habits are when you go back to work. So, make sure you're ready.

And if you have even a remotely stressful job or you're on your feet a lot throughout the day, TAKE AS LONG AS YOU CAN OFF FROM WORK. Don't muck about with trying to go back early because you think you feel back to normal. You don't. Trust me.

Surgery was on a Thursday. I had a late surgery time so I did a little work that morning. Friday I was off. I was also off the following Monday. I went back to work (from home) on Tuesday.
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This is a slippery slope for me. Anytime, I have lost weight before, I've been outright and honest. My last major diet I worked in an office but now I work from home. Luckily, that aspect is gone.
I know people that have had surgery and when asked they reply with counting calories, eat less exercise more, medically supervised diet. I don't know. Part of me wants to be honest because people with average sized stomachs just can not really eat like a weight loss surgery patient. I would feel slightly deceitful but I'm not sure how to deal either. That kind of stuff isn't covered during the process and it should be because no matter how much support the bariatric center thinks you should have, it doesn't always align with real life or your comfort level. Mean people and opinions don't magically disappear.
That all being said, I know exactly how you feel!!! None of my family, friends, or boyfriend's family knows about surgery. Thanksgiving will be a challenge and it's hard to say "no" especially because effort was put into making everyone food.
I intend to not sit at the "main table." There will be enough people that I can give up my seat and then I can sit on the couch. Fill up plate, nibble, fold plate in half, throw away. If that is not feasible, maybe you can say you already had a large lunch before arriving? You could feign being sick?
As you can see, I'm conflicted too.
Best of luck!
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This is a good point. For the past few months I've just been following what the bariatric center asked. It's become my security blanket admittedly.
I now realize that my mandated weekly group visits are coming to an end. No more weekly accountability.
The strange thing is that a month or so ago, I would have said "I am so done with these bariatric appointments. I'm so ready for December. I'm ready to not feel like I am having my every move accounted for." The process moved fast even though in that time period it felt like time was dragging.
But once I looked at my health portal today and saw I had no "surgery" appointments this week I felt a little like a bird getting kicked out of the nest. The center now has new people beginning and working through their protocols and I'm left to my own devices.
I have been given "the tool" from them and now it's time to build my toolbox up.
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Ahhhh yes. The incentive spirometer. It works well.
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Tomorow is surgery Day any last minute things any one would like to share experience or suggestions or what to expect. Really nervous but excited bout my new journey! Everyone is different with pain tolerance and if course everyone's body reacts different but just things that you g Ave experienced or wasn't expecting that you wish u knew before???
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I'm almost 2 weeks post op. I expected way more "stomach" pain than the actual random pain I had. No nausea and to this day no vomiting and I was prepared for it but it never came. Gas pain is random and it moves in odd ways. I walked, rested a few hours, walked, and walked. You don't walk because they're telling you to; you do it for comfort. Same with sipping. I thought I wouldn't be able to monitor my gulping but your body accommodates quickly after there is a few times of sipping with pain. It becomes 2nd nature.
Post op 24 hours I had pain in random places at different times. I had 2 Dilaudid doses in the hospital. Came home, went to the grocery store with boyfriend, got back home and took a Norco. Then I took one before bed. The next day, I took 2 Norcos (once in the evening and once in the morning.) The following 2 nights I took one Norco at bedtime. The night after that I took Tylenol.
I can only give my experience with pain and healing. I was fine a week later less a rash that is almost healed and a slightly twinge-y pain to the right of my belly button. I'm meeting my Protein, Water, meals, and exercise goals.
For me, I healed much faster than I expected. You know when you get a cold you only feel slightly better every day? With this, I felt significantly better every day.
Best Wishes! You'll do great.
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I'm so excited... found out today from surgery coordinator that Cigna approved me after 5 days of being submitted. So excited about this but now I'm nervous. Glad to have an idea of what I need take to the hospital.

You know what's funny about your comment "I 'think' I know she had WLS"? I honestly think most people figure it out. Most of us who think people don't know? I'd be willing to bet they do.

This is a slippery slope for me. Anytime, I have lost weight before, I've been outright and honest. My last major diet I worked in an office but now I work from home. Luckily, that aspect is gone.
I know people that have had surgery and when asked they reply with counting calories, eat less exercise more, medically supervised diet. I don't know. Part of me wants to be honest because people with average sized stomachs just can not really eat like a weight loss surgery patient. I would feel slightly deceitful but I'm not sure how to deal either. That kind of stuff isn't covered during the process and it should be because no matter how much support the bariatric center thinks you should have, it doesn't always align with real life or your comfort level. Mean people and opinions don't magically disappear.
That all being said, I know exactly how you feel!!! None of my family, friends, or boyfriend's family knows about surgery. Thanksgiving will be a challenge and it's hard to say "no" especially because effort was put into making everyone food.
I intend to not sit at the "main table." There will be enough people that I can give up my seat and then I can sit on the couch. Fill up plate, nibble, fold plate in half, throw away. If that is not feasible, maybe you can say you already had a large lunch before arriving? You could feign being sick?
As you can see, I'm conflicted too.
Best of luck!
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is a good point. For the past few months I've just been following what the bariatric center asked. It's become my security blanket admittedly.
I now realize that my mandated weekly group visits are coming to an end. No more weekly accountability.
The strange thing is that a month or so ago, I would have said "I am so done with these bariatric appointments. I'm so ready for December. I'm ready to not feel like I am having my every move accounted for." The process moved fast even though in that time period it felt like time was dragging.
But once I looked at my health portal today and saw I had no "surgery" appointments this week I felt a little like a bird getting kicked out of the nest. The center now has new people beginning and working through their protocols and I'm left to my own devices.
I have been given "the tool" from them and now it's time to build my toolbox up.
Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Make sure your Protein shakes have low carbs/ high protein... I hear Atkins shakes are low carb.. Good luck Sent from Dee~Dee via BariatricPal

I started logging everything the day I began my six-month pre-op diet in March. And I have continued that post-op.

It's ashame that we have explain ourselves.
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I personally think a lot of it is how you approach it. My sis had VSG a few years ago, and she lectures everyone constantly at family gatherings about how she has to eat now, and how to lose weight. It's so bad that our Mom's biggest concern with me getting the surgery is that I won't be any fun to have get-togethers with or go out to eat with anymore. But I've gone out to eat since then, and I just order what sounds good, get a takeaway box early on to separate out what I won't be eating, and when I'm full I just push stuff around on my plate. Have never had anyone really even notice.
I made the choice to be open about my surgery to pretty much everyone. I don't talk about it at work much because I don't talk a lot about my personal life at work in general. But people who notice the loss and ask, I tell them I had the surgery and am doing great. Sometimes they want more information, and my nurse educator hat goes on. I take it as an opportunity to get good information out there about weight loss and why diet and exercise aren't the right answer for everyone. But that's me. I blog and am generally "out there" about most things in my life. LOL.

Great question. I'm only 2 weeks out but worry about these things toom
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My plan is like sleeveisa's. I plan to say "I nibbled all day as I prepared food that now I'm stuffed."
Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

I am a B cup. But maybe you can wear them around the house or as lingerie
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( @@LipstickLady )

Heating pad... it became my best friend! works wonders on gas and pain.
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If you have any meds that are exspensive take them with you. I only took my phone charger and phone. They charge you for everything wether you take it or not. Except the exspensive meds.
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@@ocgirl15
https://www.soma.com/store/product/stunning-support-full-coverage-bra/570077540?color=719&catId=cat8589275&fromSearch=true&scPos=1-501-732
If you look at this style, compared to the balconet, you get more cleavage. Also the way the wires work/position/made is really unique. If you have side boob, it really smooths you out and pushes it all to the front.